Beck: The Negotiated Family

Beck argues that we now live in a 'risk society' whereby tradition has less influence and people have more choice. As a result of this, we are more aware of risks. This is because making choices involves calculating the risks and rewards of different actions.

Today's risk society contrasts with an earlier society when roles were more fixed and people had less choice in how they lived their lives. For example, people were once expected to get married, and then men would become the breadwinner and women would become responsible for domestic work.

This traditional family was patriarchal and oppressive, however it did create a stable…